The event, held on November 15 at the Ushuaia Aeroclub, brought together figures from the region’s culinary and fishing sectors. Under the banner “Fuegian Cuisine Honouring the Sea”, chefs Jorge Monopoli and Lino Adillón worked with cooks and fishers to prepare dishes featuring local species such as rock cod, clams, mussels, silverside and cholgas. The initiative aimed to promote regional seafood consumption and highlight the connection between the community and artisanal fishers.
With the Beagle Channel and Mount Olivia as a backdrop, participants discussed responsible consumption and sustainable production in the region. Although Argentina has abundant fish resources, local seafood consumption remains low, and an estimated 90 percent of national catches are exported.
Jorge Monopoli, chef and organiser of the event said in a press release: “With this first edition of ‘Fuegian Cuisine Honouring the Sea’, we want to protect our waters. We do not want salmon farms that would affect the produce of the Beagle Channel and the South Atlantic. If something is protected, why would we stop protecting it?”
The future of Law 1355 has been under debate following a proposal to amend the legislation. Supporters of the current ban argue that open-net salmon farming could affect the local marine environment and existing fisheries. Advocates of aquaculture development, meanwhile, point to potential economic opportunities linked to expanding the sector in the province.
Proponents of artisanal fishing and small-scale aquaculture note their emphasis on traceability and local value chains, often described as “from sea to plate”. The event, which brought together around 50 participants, was organised with the support of local gastronomic professionals and artisanal fishers and was documented in a one-minute video.
